New Delhi, August 11, 2025 — In a decisive move aimed at addressing the rising number of rabies-related deaths in the capital, the Supreme Court has directed authorities to remove all stray dogs from Delhi’s residential areas and relocate them to designated shelter homes.
The order was issued by a bench comprising Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice R. Mahadevan, who instructed the Delhi Government, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), and the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) to begin immediate action. The court emphasized that this is a public safety issue and “there can be no compromise in making every locality stray-dog-free.”
The directive comes in the wake of increasing incidents of dog bites in the capital, some of which have resulted in fatal rabies infections. Expressing concern over these deaths, the bench questioned animal rights activists, stating, “Can the lives lost to rabies be brought back by animal lovers?”
Under the order, authorities must:
Identify and remove strays from all areas, prioritizing high-risk zones. Relocate them to well-equipped shelters with CCTV surveillance. Ensure sterilization and vaccination drives are adequately staffed. Complete all arrangements, including shelter infrastructure, within eight weeks and submit a compliance report to the court.
The court also issued a stern warning that any organization or individual obstructing the relocation process will face strict legal consequences. Additionally, the matter will be heard further after the central government’s response, but no new petitions from animal rights groups will be entertained in this case.
Justice Pardiwala stressed, “This is not an emotional matter — it’s about public interest. Action must be swift and effective.” The bench also instructed amicus curiae Gaurav Agrawal to coordinate efforts to ensure strays are moved to safe, remote locations.
This ruling marks one of the strongest judicial interventions in recent years regarding stray dog management in Delhi.
